The US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Aaron Schwartz | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Congress on Thursday split on advancing a pair of war powers resolutions aimed at forcing President Donald Trump to abandon his war with Iran, as the conflict escalates into a deadly new phase and oil tops $100 a barrel.
The moves were the first vote since Trump informed Congress that he restarted the war with Iran following the breakdown of peace negotiations. The conflict’s revival after weeks of a shaky ceasefire comes just months before the U.S. midterm elections. It threatens to scramble the majority Republicans’ plan to maintain their razor-thin majorities.
The Senate on Thursday voted 47-49 to kill a joint resolution under the War Powers Act to force Trump to end hostilities with Iran. That chamber’s action follows a 214-208 House vote earlier in the day to approve a similar measure under the War Powers Act.
Even if Congress does try to force Trump to withdraw, he would be almost certain to veto anything that reaches his desk.
“There is no good way out of a bad war,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who offered the resolution in the Senate. “This is an opportunity for this Congress to finally take responsibility.”
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, voted for the resolution. Collins is locked in a tough reelection bid in a state that is now reliably blue. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the lone Democrat to vote against the measure.
Republicans argued before the vote that cutting off the administration’s ability to wage war now would tie their hands.
“If we vote now and Republicans voted to cut and run and force the president in the middle of this to withdraw, it would be a huge blow to American credibility,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.
Kennedy downplayed concerns among voters with the war, saying, “I don’t think it’s the main thing; I think this election will be about the cost of living.”
The House’s action was a concurrent resolution, which is not binding and so would never head to Trump’s desk to be signed into law but does express the disapproval of Congress.
The war’s recent escalation has spiked oil prices again, with international benchmark Brent crude topping $100 on Thursday and U.S. crude soaring over $91 per barrel. Gas prices have also surged to $4.09 per gallon on average in the U.S., according to AAA.
